NBTS releases balloons to create greater awareness
WORLD Blood Donor Day was observed in Guyana yesterday under the theme ‘More Blood Donors, More Healthy Lives’.
For the observance, the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) released 90 red balloons into the air from its Lamaha and East Streets, Georgetown headquarters.
NBTS Tele Recruiter, Ms. Tiffany Obermuller, said releasing the balloons signifies the mandate given by the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, to recruit more voluntary, unpaid donors, to garner at least 90 per cent blood donations in 2011.
Before the gesture with the balloons, he said he hopes more awareness of being a voluntary blood donor is spread throughout the country and expressed his gratitude to all who have contributed, over the years, to a humane cause.
Ramsammy also appealed to those who have not yet donated to join in the important quest, so that the lack of blood does not deprive anyone of life.
The objective of observing the day is to make more people aware of the need for safe blood and by-products for transfusions and specially acknowledge the invaluable contributions made by voluntary donors to the national health system.
World Blood Donor Day was initiated in 2004, by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in collaboration with Ministers of Health worldwide and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Ever since then, the occasion has become an annual event and the local Ministry of Health has been observing it for the past eight years.
A special voluntary donor, Lakshmi Narine, 58, who makes every effort to contribute, said he began donating in 1994 and continues to do so, as he believes it is an offer to God, by being kind to others in saving a life.
He has donated to the Blood Bank 57 times and intends to save more lives once he is fit to do so.
Narine said, to maintain his practice, he eats healthily and follows a healthy lifestyle.
He encouraged others to emulate him by each donating one unit of blood that could save at least three lives.
According to NBTS records, there are persons who have committed to donating between one and four times annually and others with 100 donations in their lifetime.
Champion donor is Mr. Ron Robinson, who has contributed more than 100 units and is on the record mounted on an NBTS wall.